Chan: An Ancient Maya Farming Community

414 Pages·2012·8.719 MB·English

by  Cynthia Robin

Chan
Maya Studies
University Press of Florida
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers
Florida International University, Miami
Florida State University, Tallahassee
New College of Florida, Sarasota
University of Central Florida, Orlando
University of Florida, Gainesville
University of North Florida, Jacksonville
University of South Florida, Tampa
University of West Florida, Pensacola
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Chan
An Ancient Maya Farming Community
Edited by Cynthia Robin
Foreword by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase
University Press of Florida
Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton
Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota
Funding to assist in the publication of this book was generously provided by
Northwestern University.
Copyright 2012 by Cynthia Robin
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America. This book is printed on Glatfelter Natures Book,
a paper certified under the standards of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). It is a
recycled stock that contains 30 percent post-consumer waste and is acid-free.
17 16 15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chan : an ancient Maya farming community / edited by Cynthia Robin ; foreword by
Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase.
p. cm. — (Maya studies)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8130-3983-1 (alk. paper)
1. Mayas—Agriculture—Belize River Valley (Guatemala and Belize) 2. Mayas—Land
tenure—Belize River Valley (Guatemala and Belize) 3. Mayas—Belize River Valley
(Guatemala and Belize)—Antiquities. 4. Excavations (Archaeology)—Belize River Valley
(Guatemala and Belize) 5. Belize River Valley (Guatemala and Belize)—Antiquities.
I. Robin, Cynthia.
F1435.3.A37C43 2012
972.81—dc23
2012001108
The University Press of Florida is the scholarly publishing agency for the State University
System of Florida, comprising Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University,
Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University,
New College of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University
of North Florida, University of South Florida, and University of West Florida.
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
http://www.upf.com
We dedicate this book to all of our Belizean colleagues on the Chan
project. Without your help and friendship this book would not have
been possible. Thank you!
Merle Alfaro, Nestor Alfaro, Sylvia Batty, Theresa Batty,
Bernabe Camal Jr., Bernabe Camal Sr., Edwin Camal, Jonny Camal,
Derric Chan, Eduardo Chan, Heriberto Chan, Ifrain Chan,
Ismael Chan Sr., Ismael F. Chan Jr., Ismael R. Chan, Eduardo Chi,
Elvis Chi, Everaldo Chi, Jaime Chi, Omar Chi, Venura Cocom, Placido
Cunil Jr., Roberto Cunil, Ismael Ernandez, Reina Ernandez, Abel
Goodoy, Virgilio Goodoy, Ciro Hernandez, Elvis Itza,
Roberto Jimenez, Sergio Jimenez, Manuel Kent, Jose Lopez,
Mariano Lopez Jr., Gumercindo Mai, Susan Mai, Rosita Marin,
Lazaro Martinez, Rosa Martinez, Oscar Mejia, Eder Panti,
Jose Luis Panti, Alma Patt, Salvador Penados, Cruz Puc, Elvin Puc,
Marta Puc, Nasario Puc, Ricky Puc, Ronnie Puc, Sandra Puc,
Sandra Aurora Puc, Ediberto Reyes, Carlos Salgueros, Julia Sanchez,
Alex Smith, David Smith, Glenis Smith, Horace Smith, Ken Smith,
Joyce Tun, Feliz Uck, Elmer Valdez, Gerald Valdez
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Contents
List of Figures / ix
List of Tables / xi
Foreword / xiii
Acknowledgments / xv
1. Introducing the Chan Site: Farmers in Complex Societies / 1
Cynthia Robin
Part 1. Time, Space, and Landscapes
2. A Changing Cultural Landscape: Settlement Survey and GIS
at Chan / 19
Cynthia Robin, Andrew R. Wyatt, Laura J. Kosakowsky, Santiago Juarez,
Ethan Kalosky, and Elise Enterkin
3. Ceramics and Chronology at Chan / 42
Laura J. Kosakowsky
4. Agricultural Practices at Chan: Farming and Political Economy in
an Ancient Maya Community / 71
Andrew R. Wyatt
5. Agroforestry and Agricultural Production of the Ancient Maya
at Chan / 89
David Lentz, Sally Woods, Angela Hood, and Marcus Murph
Part 2. Life in a Farming Community Center
6. Ritual in a Farming Community / 113
Cynthia Robin, James Meierhoff, Caleb Kestle, Chelsea Blackmore,
Laura J. Kosakowsky, and Anna C. Novotny
7. Nonroyal Governance at Chan’s Community Center / 133
Cynthia Robin, James Meierhoff, and Laura J. Kosakowsky
8. “Empty” Spaces and Public Places: A Microscopic View of
Chan’s Late Classic West Plaza / 150
Bernadette Cap
Part 3. Diversity across the Chan Community
9. Recognizing Difference in Small-Scale Settings: An Examination of
Social Identity Formation at the Northeast Group, Chan / 173
Chelsea Blackmore
10. Organization of Chert Tool Economy during the Late and
Terminal Classic Periods at Chan: Preliminary Thoughts Based
upon Debitage Analyses / 192
Nicholas F. Hearth
11. Limestone Quarrying and Household Organization at Chan / 207
Caleb Kestle
Part 4. Bodies, Material Culture, and Meaning
12. The Chan Community: A Bioarchaeological Perspective / 231
Anna C. Novotny
13. Creating Community with Shell / 253
Angela H. Keller
14. Obsidian Acquisition, Trade, and Regional Interaction at Chan / 271
James Meierhoff, Mark Golitko, and James D. Morris
15. Contextualizing Ritual Behavior: Caches, Burials, and Problematical
Deposits from Chan’s Community Center / 289
Laura J. Kosakowsky, Anna C. Novotny, Angela H. Keller, Nicholas F. Hearth,
and Carmen Ting
Part 5. Conclusion
16. Learning from an Ancient Maya Farming Community / 311
Cynthia Robin

References / 343
List of Contributors / 383
Index / 387
Figures
1.1. Location of the Chan site / 9
1.2. Location of excavation areas / 10
1.3. Chan Nòohol / 13
2.1. Xunantunich transect archaeological 1 / 21
2.2. Topography and settlement / 23
2.3. Middle Preclassic settlement / 29
2.4. Late Preclassic settlement / 31
2.5. Terminal Preclassic settlement / 31
2.6. Early Classic settlement / 33
2.7. Early Late Classic settlement / 33
2.8. Late Late Classic settlement / 34
2.9. Terminal Classic settlement / 36
2.10. Early Postclassic settlement / 37
3.1. Boden and Cadle Ceramic Complexes / 49
3.2. Potts and Burrell Ceramic Complexes / 52
3.3. Jalacte Ceramic Complex / 55
3.4. Pesoro Ceramic Complex / 56
3.5. Pesoro and Vieras Ceramic Complexes / 58
3.6. Tu-Tu Camp Striated and Cayo Unslipped ceramics / 59
4.1. Operation 4 terraces / 79
4.2. Springhouse / 80
4.3. Operation 20 terrace / 83
5.1. Light micrographs of plant remains / 96
5.2. Scanning electron micrographs of carbonized wood / 101
6.1. Community center / 115
6.2. Tikal Twin Pyramid Complex, Group 4E-4 / 117
6.3. Central east structure of E-Group / 121
6.4. Bedrock caches and Burial 1 / 127
6.5. Early Postclassic shrine / 129
7.1. Community center and leading family residences / 135
7.2. Residential phosphorus concentrations / 139